New Racing Series Set for 2003

A new stock-car racing series, hoping to capitalize on the popularity of NASCAR, plans to begin in 2003.

The founders of the Team Racing Auto Circuit (TRAC) want to attract a national TV package and plan to race on at least some of the tracks where Winston Cup cars run.

“We believe firmly that we can serve markets that are underserved by stock car racing,” said Jon Pritchett, president and chief operating officer of Maxx Motorsports, a company in Greenville, S.C., that is part of the group backing the new series. “We believe there is a lot of room to grow. We see our concept as a way to create new fans and to give current fans something else.”

TRAC plans to have eight to 12 two-car teams and concentrate on racing at oval tracks with at least 50,000 seats. (Southern California short tracks would not meet the seating requirement and although California Speedway in Fontana would, it is owned by International Speedway Corp., a division of NASCAR.) Organizers do not know how extensive the schedule might be, but say they have been in contact with track owners and ABC, CBS and ESPN.

The point man for TRAC is Robert Wussler, a former executive with CBS and Turner Sports. Also involved are Michael Kranefuss, a former Winston Cup car owner, and three-time Winston Cup champion Cale Yarborough, a former NASCAR team owner.

“I guess it’s hard to see them welcoming us with open arms,” Yarborough said of NASCAR. “But I would hope they understand and recognize there is room for this sport to grow.”